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Violence

Poverty and oppression may explain why people in some countries embrace violent extremism, but it does not account for the flow of Western volunteers or the dreamy allure of fighting for a faraway cause. Biographies of those who have reached out to participate in jihad suggest a variety of motives, including alienation, personal crises, dissatisfaction with empty spiritual lives, and adolescent rebellion.

Why not turn the question of violent extremism inside out and develop programs that reinforce non-radicalization? That is, rather than eliminating drivers, focus instead on strengthening the factors that inhibit violent extremism.

ISIS's decision to murder its Jordanian hostage by burning him alive may turn out to be a strategic miscalculation, but it is not madness. Through self-selection, continued fighting, and the exaltation of unlimited violence, ISIS has created a cult whose members command and revel in displays of ever-increasing cruelty.

A grisly video released yesterday by ISIS appears to show Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh burned alive in a cage. Why the shift away from beheadings? What does the execution mean for Jordan? What implications will it have for ISIS?

Violence against women is a persistent problem around the world. That's particularly true of Papua New Guinea, where abuse of women by domestic partners, gang members, and members of law enforcement is widespread, drawing comparisons to conditions in conflict zones.

Data sharing among emergency departments and law enforcement is known to reduce crime. RAND Europe researchers are developing guidance for police practitioners in England and Wales on available hospital data and its potential uses, as well as on how to establish and maintain data-sharing partnerships with NHS partners.

When police take action on the basis of race, creed, or ethnicity it is corrosive, unfair, ineffective, and can stoke the flames of police-community tension. But as we have found from a variety of assessments, law enforcement is best served when it bases its activities on risk—not on personal characteristics.

The recent increase of sectarian terrorism is best understood as a product of the ancient Sunni-Shiite divide, the growth of modern-day extremist groups, the Iranian-Saudi rivalry, and the growing phenomenon of fractured states.

The Fair Food Program has been a leader in using cooperation, visibility, and accountability to meet the needs of workers, growers, and buyers. Can it be a model for addressing these critical issues in Mexico as well?

There has been growing concern about both sexual assault and alcohol misuse in the U.S. military. Research on civilians may provide guidance for efforts to reduce alcohol misuse as part of a larger strategy targeting sexual assault in the military.

San Francisco opened the Community Justice Center in 2009 to serve the city's Tenderloin district and adjacent neighborhoods. Those arrested for an eligible offense in the Center catchment area after it opened were 8.9 to 10.3 percent less likely to be rearrested within one year.

San Francisco opened the Community Justice Center in 2009 to serve its Tenderloin district and adjacent neighborhoods. Those arrested for an eligible offense in the Center catchment area after it opened were 8.9 to 10.3 percent less likely to be rearrested within one year.

Schools are in a unique position to recognize traumatic stress in children. But first, adults throughout the school system—teachers, staff, administrators, school resource officers, and parents—must be aware of the issue, know how to detect signs of trauma exposure, and create a supportive environment.

Organised crime poses a threat to the security and freedom of European citizens and impacts the lives of people worldwide. Recognising the severity of the problem and the need for coordinated action, the EU has initiated a number of measures to encourage closer cooperation between Members States and the adoption of common legal, judicial and investigative frameworks to address organised crime.

Most successful schools demonstrate better retention and academic achievement. As a result, being admitted to or attending a successful school can reduce very risky health behaviors among low-income adolescents.

To improve understanding of how local experiences of street gangs may have changed recently, and to better understand the national gangs picture and the challenges and emerging threats facing local areas, the British Home Office has commissioned RAND Europe to deliver research in Ending Gang and Youth Violence areas.

An approach to policing known as “procedural justice,” emphasizing transparency and accountability, would help Israel's national police meet current and emerging challenges. The force needs to address issues of civil-police relations, benchmarking, performance measurement, and deterrence.

Researcher Spotlight

Adjunct Behavioral Scientist

Laura Hickman is an adjunct behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation and a professor of criminology and criminal justice at Portland State University. Hickman's research focuses on evaluating and improving criminal justice policy and practice. Her work covers capital punishment, domestic…

Senior Behavioral Scientist

Lisa Jaycox is a senior behavioral scientist and clinical psychologist at the RAND Corporation; she is also a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. She has combined clinical and research expertise in the areas of child and adolescent mental health problems, including depression and…

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